Gray Morell

I'm so sad that one of my favorite antique stores has closed.

Gary Morell Antiques has been one of my go-to sources for fantastic, unique and one-of-a-kind furnishings and accessories. 17th century wood sculptures, 18th century English and French console tables and chairs, 19th century chandeliers.  Most of my jobs have at a piece or two from the store and I always could count on finding something amazing within Gray's treasures.

Owner Gray Morell and his partner Shane Rasmussen ran the La Cienega Quarter antique store until recently when they sold the building and retired.  I  secretly (and selfishly) hope they pop back up and return to the design industry. Finding such a discerning eye and such a knowledgeable and friendly people to work with in antiques is hard and they will be missed.

Gray & Shane - I wish you tons of happiness in your retired life. You will be missed.

www.graymorell.com

My Morning at FIDM

Yesterday morning I gave a speech to a group of young interior design student at FDIM (Fashion Institute of Design Merchandising )  downtown Los Angeles.

Across the US there are many great art schools with design programs. What makes one student succeed and another not be able to find a job? How does a young person gain knowledge and experience in order to be more prepared and more desirable to a design firm?  Who has what it takes and who does not?  All important questions that will mold the futures of them all.

I remember being in design school (many moons ago).  It was one of the happiest times in my life. Like most young artists, I had a blank slate and was full of hope and ideas on how to change the world. So it was a pleasure and an honor to be able to reconnect with like minded young people who have the same fire in their spirits and are anxious to get out into the design world.  Full of questions and curiosity, FIDM interior design studenst are so well prepared for their age. If I could, I would hire them all as interns!

And to everyone who attended yesterday - stay fabulous!

http://fidm.edu

Sandra Espinet Home Couture

I have had a lot of people asking about my newly released rug line - Sandra Espinet for Aga John.

I designed a wool and silk collection exclusively sold at Aga John. My rugs are Tibetan style and most are in neutral colors.  But they can be custom colored to match any home.  Like most things I design, the patterns were inspired from photos I took on my travels.  I save images and them adapt and draw them up into usable art.  

Contact Carol at Aga John if you have more questions. Thanks for all of the inquiries.  

www.agajohnrugs.com

In Vogue

I had such a great time in NYC for Fashion Week and my little appearance in Vogue made it even more fun!  

The Jason Wu show was fantastic and I aboslutely loved meeting him and attending the after show party thrown in his honor by Brizo faucets.   We all had a chance to listen to Jason talk about his inspiration for this season as well as his perspective on design in general.  

And to all of my new Brizo friends - cheers to a fantastic time.

http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/spring-summer-2013/ready-to-wear/jason-wu/front-row-photos/gallery/7

Fashion Week with Brizo

It's that time of the year again, and off I go to NYC for Fashion Week .

This season I will be a guest of, and hosted by, Brizo Faucets.  And why, you might ask, would a faucet company offer me an all expense paid trip to NYC's Fashion Week?  Because Brizo is a fashion forward company that combines style with home fashion.  They have created a new line of faucets with famed fashion designer Jason Wu that is launching simultaniously.

I am so honored by this invitation and exited to be a part of this event. This is sure to be a fun-filled week.

http://www.brizo.com/experience/fashion/for-the-runway/

LASIK

"Life through the eyes of a luxury interior designer" has been via contact lenses!  And finally, after all of these years, I am taking the plunge and having Lasik surgery.

Basically, Lasik is a laser refractive procedure to correct myopia.  It has been around for the past 20 years.  But my eyes are my most important asset and I have always been a bit scared to mess with them in the event of a possible mishap.   Like any surgery there are always small chances and risks we take. So I figured - just stick to the contacts.

But I am off to see Dr Caster.   It's a quick overnight recovery and after the first night or medicated rest I should have 20 / 20 vision.

Good bye contacts and glasses!

http://www.castervision.com

 

PINTEREST CONTEST WITH LAMPS PLUS

Social media has taken over.  But this is fun.

Do you use Pinterest?  Do you like Lamps Plus?  I am a fan of both and plan to enter their contest to win a shopping spree.  Ill keep you posted.

Click the link below and start pinning to win.  Ready, set, go!

http://www.lampsplus.com/info-center/b/blog/archive/2012/07/06/lamps-plus-pinterest-contest.aspx

 

 

MARTHA'S MUSE

Ok....I may be embellishing....but could I be Martha Stewart's muse?

A newspaper article quoted yesterday that the fabulous queen of design, Martha Stewart, was inspired by the colors of "Sandra Espinet " ( yeah me) for her new rug line.  And I could not be happier to know that all of my hard work and designing in the trenches could inspire the amazing Martha.  The admiration is mutual because every time I do a Martha Stewart Living Sirius Radio Show I am inspired by her business skills and success. So what an honor to know that Martha likes my work.  

I wish Martha Stewart all of the luck in the world on her new rug collection and I hope to keep on inspiring color and beauty to all. Because as a designer that's what its all about.  Inspiration and beautification.  Making the world a prettier place.

Smiles!

http://www.bakersfieldvoice.com/content/differing-types-oriental-martha-stewart-rugs-sale-ideal-place-decor

It's On Amazon!

My candle is now available for sale!

For all of you who want to buy one and have it shipped out right away, my candle is now available and in stock at Amazon.com. Of course, I'm a bit biased and think it's the prettiest and most fragrant candle available.  But you be the judge and let me know what you think.

So click on and enjoy it!

http://www.amazon.com/SE-105-Sandra-Espinet-Scented-Candle/dp/B007I8HPP0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334336003&sr=8-1

off to CHINA

I am very excited to announce that I have been selected as one of the new Anderson Flooring spokespersons.  I am leaving to China to do some press junkets for Anderson, to open their new store in Shanghai, and to  give a few speeches to Chinese interior designers n Beijing.

I have been to China 5 times and it is such an exciting and diverse country.  The growth in the cities is so rapid and new architecture is thrilling.   Each time I go, I see new cool things, and I always come back inspired by the "Yes I can!" attitude of the country.

Off I go.... I will keep you posted!

 

Tangerine

Anyone in the design world, whether it be fashion, interior design or graphics, knows that Pantone is the leading authority on color.  And every year Pantone selects "The Color of the Year".  

Hello to the 2012 winner: Tangerine Tango. According to Pantone, "Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.  It's a bit exotic, but in a very friendly, non-threatening way".

How did Pantone come up with tangerine as the 2012 color? What  inspired the Pantone team to select ornage? Could it be the massive amounts of spray-tanned reality TV stars on our screens? 

What do you think of Tangerine?  Here is an article that Lamps Plus just released on Tangerine:

http://www.lampsplus.com/info-center/b/blog/archive/2012/01/06/interior-designers-weigh-in-on-tangerine-tango.aspx

 

Celebrity Holiday Homes

I am very excited that the premiere of my new HGTV Christmas Special "Celebrity Holiday Homes" in which I decorate the home of "The Biggest Loser" host Ali Sweeney is this weekend.

Ali's home is in the Hollywood Hills and has an amazing view of Los Angeles.  So I decided to give her and all out Hollywood Glam Christmas.  I invited and had the pleasure of having chef Top Chef Antonia Lafoso prepare the Christmas meal and Sarce sing and play the piano for the evening.  

I hope you can tune in or set your Tivo to HGTV on  Sunday, December 18, at 8 p.m EST.

Here are a few sneak preview pictures!

 

HOW TO USE PURPLE

Wondering how to incorporate purple into your design scheme? Here are some tips from me on the best ways to make purple work:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/designer-purple-15104495?singlePage=true#.TuJ3IZjmYkE

And don't forget to check out my new HGTV "Celebrity Holiday Homes" special premiering on December 18th at 8 p.m. EST. I decorate Allie Sweeney's home in all shades of purple to create a super glam holiday look! Check your local listings for times and airdates!

Celebrity Holiday Homes

I am very excited to announce the premiere of my new HGTV Christmas Special "Celebrity Holiday Homes" in which I decorate the home of CSI Miami's star Eva La Rue.

I hope you can join in and watch me transform Eva's living room into Santa's North Pole workshop. It was a fun show to work on and my elves and I really enjoyed playing with trains, wrapping presents and laughing with Santa.  I invited and had the pleasure of having chef  Brian Moyers  from B.L.T restaurant in Los Angeles serve Eva's Christmas meal and we all enjoyed Laura Tattershal's custom cookies as a treat.

I enjoyed meeting Eva and her lovely family.  At the end of the day, no matter how you decorate your home, Christmas really is about that - spending time with the ones you love!

So put it on your schedule or set your Tivo this weekend.  Sunday night, Dec 4th at 8pm on HGTV.

Here are a few sneak preview photos...

http://www.lampsplus.com/info-center/b/blog/archive/2011/12/02/hgtvs-celebrity-holiday-homes-sandra-espinet-shares-5-holiday-decorating-tips-.aspx

http://www.hollywoodthewriteway.com/2011/11/celebrity-holiday-homes-on-hgtv.html

Decorating for the holidays

I was quoted in this article for the LA Daily News about decorating for the holidays:

http://www.dailynews.com/ci_19459237?IADID=Search-www.dailynews.com-www.dailynews.com

Styleist Celebrity Holiday Homes Interview with Sandra Espinet

Here's an interview I did about the 2011 Celebrity Holiday Homes show with Eva La Rue.

http://www.stylelist.com/2011/12/02/sandra-espinet-eva-larue_n_1125502.html?ref=christmas

Decorating for Halloween

Here is an article I did for LampsPlus with some fun Halloween decorating tips.

Casa Alegria on NBC LXtv

A few months ago the NBC LXtv production team came to Cabo to film this segment at my beach home : Casa Alegria.

It was such a fun day and I loved touring the house.  My home is not as big or as detailed as most of the homes I design, but it is comfortable and friendly and a great place to entertain and live.  I'm happy to show it off and have it on their website.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/blogs/open-house/On-Last-Weekends-Open-House-1-131003643.html

Don't Forget the Laundry Room!

I don't think many meetings are held with the concept of "luxury laundry rooms" in mind.

But the fact is when most interior designers work on a kitchen layout we include and also design the laundry rooms as part of and an extension of a kitchen.  In my case, I tend to use the same kitchen cabinetry as well as the same kitchen counter tops so that the laundry room does not look like an old forgotten back room.

I was recently interviewed for an article on "Luxury Laundry Rooms" for the Wall Street Journal. What do you think?  Do you agree? What does your laundry room look like?

http://online.wsj.com/ad/article/sir-living?WC=TABLiv

my HGTV'd episode premiere

I'm so excited!  Tomorrow Saturday, September 10th at 8 p.m. (EST) on HGTV my new episode of the new series HGTV'd will air.

I worked in Austin, Texas with the Cardenas family to completely remake an unused room in their home.  My favorite part of working on the show?  The big red HGTV'd truck!  It was so cool and fun to see the big red truck pull up.  The entire neigborhood came out to play when they saw it.

I hope you can catch the show and tell me what you think after you see it.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtvd/

Saturday Shopping on 1st Dibs

I am so jazzed to announce that this Saturday, September the 10th, I will be the featured designer on the fabulous "1st DibsSaturday Shopping".

In case you missed the last 1st Dibs article you can check it out here:

http://sandraespinet.com/news/web2.html

For this "1st Dibs Saturday Shopping" I  curated a collection of Saturday market items I love and would buy.   If you enjoy my style you will get a huge boost of yummy with all of my selections and you will be able see what  my favorite style objects are.  It's an eclectic combination of rustic, elegant and cool furniture, accessories and garden pieces.  It's fun and it's a great web site so I hope you take a few minutes and take a look.

Here is a quick sneak peak. Enjoy!

http://www.1stdibs.com

Shell and jewel incrusted mirror - love it!

Antique Guatemalan church bench - super cool!

Italian Savonarola Style Arm Chair - adore it!

 

"My Favorite Place"

There is a new show on HGTV this year called "My Favorite Place".  Have you seen it yet?

I recently shot an episode for the show in Cabo, Mexico and it will air tomorrow night. I hope you can catch it. And make sure and tell me what you think of it after you watch it.

Check your local listings for exact times.

August 20th at 6p.m. Eastern time.

http://www.hgtv.com/my-favorite-place/beach-design-countess-luann-de-lesseps-sandra-espinet-katie-lee/index.html

 

Lamps Plus

Lamps Plus is one of those stores that everyone has shopped at, right?

Anything related to lighting is quick and easy to find and no matter what budget your project is in you can find something.  Last minute finials, odd shaped lamp shades and of course lamps.

They wrote a nice article about me yesterday, so I wanted to post it and share it with you.

Move over Cathy Ireland!

http://www.lampsplus.com/info-center/b/blog/archive/2011/08/15/luxury-interior-designer-sandra-espinet-shares-inspiration-and-her-favorite-lamps-plus-lighting.aspx

My Fabulous Furniture on One Kings Lane

Have you been to the amazing web site of One Kings Lane?

It is a great new way to shop for designer home products at discounted rates.  Each week the curators find collections from different designers and put together selected items that inspire you to get your home looking great.   Each week it's different and once a sale ends the items are removed and a new collection is put up.  It's great fun and a whole new way to shop.

My line of furniture, featuring items I have collected from around the world on my shopping expeditions, will be featured starting tomorrow morning.  I hope you take a few minutes to log on, get registered and preview it.  It's a group of handmade, unique furniture and accessories that you would expect to see in my interior design projects at a discounted rate.

Pass the word on ... forward this to any of your friends who you think might be interested.

Have fun and tell me what you think.  I love hearing from you!

http://oklsandraespinet.cocodot.com/

www.onekingslane.com

One of my Kitchens in CH+D

I love California Home + Design Magazine. And I love them even more when they publish my work!  

I am very excited to show off one of our beautiful, ethic inspired, fun and colorful kitchens.The cabinets were custom made, the tile is custom from Ann Sacks, and the incredible faux finishing paint and plaster was from Sherwin Williams.

I added a photo of the dining room adjacent to this kitchen so you could see that space too.Enjoy!

http://www.californiahomedesign.com/inspiration/kitchen?key=1653

Villa Reyes on NBC New York

Check out the tour of one of the homes I designed, Villa Reyes on NBC New York:

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/blogs/open-house/OHNAT_5121_D_El_Dorado_House_San_Jose_Del_Cabo_MX_web_New_York-125214834.html

Things I like to Give as Gifts

I was recently asked by the fabulous Amanda Waas what my favorite gifts to give friends were. She wrote this great article that I'm sharing here today.  Its a great blog you should check out.  Enjoy.  It's super cute. 

http://www.yeahyourewelcome.com/youre-welcome/2011/6/3/my-5-best-gifts-sandra-espinet.html

I've been HGTV'd

I've spent the last week in Texas shooting an episode for the new HGTV series called "HGTV'd".  It starts airing in June, so watch out for it!

Host Tanika Ray and I had tons of laughs and giggles working on set together.  Long days! But all worth it.  I will post the show dates as soon as they are released.

Would you like to have your home HGTV'd?  Log on to the website and send in your request.  You might get lucky. I might show up at your front steps with a big red truck and a full construction crew!

www. hgtv.com

 

 
 
 
 

 

 

PDC opens to the public

A big controversy in the Los Angeles design industry: The Pacific Design Center is now open on Saturday to the general public!

Until now, the PDC , the Blue Whale, and  Holy Grail of Furniture, has been a to the trade only building where interior designers and their clients shop for wholesale, luxury furniture.  But with all of the economic changes in the world, with all of the online competition and with so many interested consumers, the PDC management has decided to allow anyone into the building to shop, look around or just experience it.  It's a 50-50 thing.  I have spoken to many showrooms and some like the idea and others are totally against it.  The arguments against - it's a professional center and we don't want to deal with uninformed consumers.  The arguments for - If they are willing to pay retail, we are willing to sell to anyone without a designer.

I recently wrote an article for Apartment Therapy in which I give pointers to non designers who go on Saturdays.  But I am still undecided and I am still listening to the showroom managers.  It may take a few months for everyone to decide if this experiment works or not.

 How do you fell?  Is opening the PDC to the general public good? or bad?  

http://pacificdesigncenter.com

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/interior-design/tips-for-navigating-the-pacific-design-center-142009

California Home+Design's Bedroom Contest

This week California Home+Design Magazine is holding a contest for the best  "before and after" bedroom design. Readers vote for their favorite bedroom and the winning design will be featured in the magazine. We are very proud to announce that one of our jobs is in the running and we hope you log on and click to vote. Time is running out, so cast your vote. The winner is announced on Monday, February 28th. 

Check out California Home+Design's website, to see all of the bedroom designs and vote for your favorite, Sandra Espinet, of course!

http://www.californiahomedesign.com/content/vote-which-readers-bedroom-should-we-feature-magazine

 

Valentine's Day Bedroom Tips....

I recently did an interview for iVillage.com and below are some  bedroom decorating tips you might be able to use  for Valentine's Day:

http://www.ivillage.com/d-cor-tricks-spice-your-bedroom/7-b-321742#321741

Home Wizards

I love doing live radio shows.  They are so fun.  I recently did one with the lovely Cindy Dole from Home Wizards and we had a really good time talking about upcoming trends for 2011.

Click on the link below so you can listen to the show:

http://cindydole.com/on-air/2011/1/28/interior-design-with-sandy-espinet.html

I've been HGTV'd

HGTV has developed a new show called "HGTV'd" and I am one of the designers they have chosen to do a fantasy makeover for one of the lucky viewers.   Read all about the new show:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtvd/show/index.html

Aren't you exited?  I'm exited!

Cape Cod Times

A new article in which I comment on the 2011 design trends for the Cape Cod Times.

http://www.capecodonline.com

What design trends do you see coming up?

 

Apartment Therapy

 
Apartment Therapy has just posted a lovely article on "Celebrity Holiday Homes" the HGTV show in which I decorated Brooke Burke's home for the holiday:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/inspiration/tips-for-creating-a-white-winter-wonderlandhgtvs-celebrity-holiday-homes-134142

Casa Sugar

Casa Sugar just posted a new article about the Holiday decor I did for Brooke Burke's home on HGTV's "celebrity Holiday Homes".    I hope you enjoy it.

 

http://www.casasugar.com/Photos-Brooke-Burkes-Christmas-Decor-Designed-Sandra-Espinet-HGTV-12422983

 

Shelter Pop - Christmas Decorating Tips

Shelter Pop just posted an article on the HGTV "Celebrity Holiday Homes"  show I did at Brooke Burke's home.  What do you think?

http://www.shelterpop.com/2010/12/07/christmas-decorating-brooke-burke/